Feng Yinwan didn't understand his meaning and was too lazy to think about it.
The pain in her shoulder vanished, and she went back to sleep comfortably. As an apology, she entered her son's room the next morning.
The door opened silently, and she indeed saw a small figure on the bed, sitting facing the wall, seemingly sulking.
Feng Yinwan suppressed a smile and quietly approached, calling out.
"Chenchen?"
Her tone was rather tentative. The small figure on the bed stiffened at the sound, but only for a moment. Then, as if she hadn't heard, it remained motionless.
Feng Yinwan raised an eyebrow, moved to the other side, and called again.
"Chenchen?"
This time, her voice was much louder. The little dumpling's cheeks visibly puffed up with annoyance.
"Hmph."
A childish sound, carrying three parts complaint and seven parts grievance, made Feng Yinwan's heart soften. She couldn't help but chuckle.
Of course, she had the sense not to laugh out loud.
But that didn't stop Feng Jinche from catching her red-handed.
"Mother...!"
This cry was almost breaking with anger.
Feng Yinwan's smile vanished instantly. She looked up and met her son's reddened, round eyes.
"You! Hmph!"
Gazing at her resentfully, Feng Jinche wiped his tears and turned his head away in utter heartbreak.
"Mother is a bad person! I never want to be the best in the world with mother again!"
He had even thought about forgiving her!
He had clearly made a sound just now. If she had coaxed him a bit more, he definitely wouldn't have been angry.
But Mother not only didn't coax him, she… she was secretly laughing!
Even if she was secretly laughing, she was laughing so obviously!
She, she, she… she didn't respect him at all!
The more Feng Jinche thought about it, the more wronged he felt. His snot and tears mixed and flowed down, and he couldn't wipe them all away, so he simply stopped trying to hide it.
Seeing that he was truly upset, Feng Yinwan quickly took out a silk handkerchief.
"Alright, alright, you, a grown man, why are you crying? Mother isn't laughing anymore."
Before she finished speaking, she saw a snot bubble emerging from her son's nose. Unable to resist, she burst into laughter again.
Feng Jinche's just-subsiding sobs immediately grew louder.
"You're lying... wuwuwuwu—"
Feng Yinwan's forehead twitched. Quick as lightning, she covered his mouth with the handkerchief.
Feng Jinche's little face trembled, and his round pupils widened even more.
"You used this to wipe your nose! Mmph mmph mmph..."
"..."
In the end, Feng Jinche dared not cry anymore.
Heaven had favored him, allowing him to choose such a kind and considerate mother. He truly felt so lucky!
As she laughed, tears began to flow from her eyes again.
Feng Yinwan, completely unaware, took out a clean handkerchief, wiped her hands, and stood up.
"Alright, you've finished crying, right? Get ready, we're going to the Four Seas Cloud Feast."
Feng Jinche sniffled angrily, "I'm not going!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he suddenly realized something. His little hand stopped, and he immediately looked up in surprise.
"Wait! Mother… you said Four Seas Cloud Feast?!"
Feng Yinwan's eyelids twitched.
But considering he had just been crying and his eyes were full of hope, she twitched her lips and nodded.
"Yes."
"!!!"
Feng Jinche's face brightened instantly.
Great!
Ever since he returned from the Four Seas Cloud Feast that day, he had been yearning to go again.
He never expected…!
Ah! Mother is so good, of course he forgives her!
He decided it was all the bad old King's fault!
He giggled foolishly a couple of times, nimbly got off the bed, slipped on his shoes, and headed out.
"Mother, what are you waiting for? Let's go!"
He was already impatient!
Feng Yinwan was almost dragged out of the courtyard by him.
As soon as she regained her balance, she looked up and saw Ye Tinglan approaching. His brows were sharp, as if he had urgent matters.
Her eyes narrowed, and she paused.
Ye Tinglan stepped forward and spoke only one sentence.
"The Emperor is critically ill. Follow me to the palace immediately."
The carriage was parked outside. As Feng Yinwan boarded, the frown between her brows had not yet dissipated.
"The imperial physicians said yesterday that his condition had stabilized. Why has it suddenly become so serious today?"
Only a few hours had passed since they left the palace. The sudden onset of his illness had brought him to a critical state.
Ye Tinglan closed his eyes, his thin lips pressed into a cold line.
"The wicked illness is dangerous and unpredictable. Even the imperial physicians did not foresee this."
Feng Yinwan frowned. "What is the situation in the palace now?"
Yesterday the Emperor had fainted in court, and he had not appeared at the morning assembly today. In full view of everyone, this matter could probably not be kept quiet.
Ye Tinglan's lips moved silently as he answered her.
"Naturally, the hearts of the people are in turmoil, and chaos reigns."
The situation was not as serious as he described, but in Feng Yinwan's opinion, it would soon be.
On the way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, although the palace attendants appeared outwardly calm, beneath the surface, a turbulent and fearful atmosphere had already spread.
When they arrived, the First Prince and the Empress were already there.
A group of imperial consorts knelt outside the inner hall. Seeing her, the Empress immediately frowned.
"Prince Mo, at such a critical juncture, why have you brought this person into the palace again!"
Yesterday's birthday banquet was one thing, but the Emperor's critical illness was a matter of great importance. How could he disregard propriety like this!
Ye Tinglan showed no expression at her words. He lifted his robes and knelt down with Feng Yinwan.
"Regarding the matter of the concubine, the Emperor himself agreed at yesterday's banquet. With such dire news from the palace, she should naturally come with this humble servant."
Although not yet formally married, with the Emperor's consent, Feng Yinwan was only one step away from becoming a concubine.
The Empress was speechless, her face flickering with emotion. She turned away and stopped speaking.
A moment later, Ye Tingyu and Ye Tingyan arrived one after another. They appeared rushed, and their expressions seemed filled with grief.
"Eunuch Gao, what is the situation inside?"
The instant the words fell, the door to the inner hall opened. Ye Tingyu lowered his head upon seeing this.
The Empress Dowager, supported by Ye Tingyun, emerged. Her aged face was already etched with exhaustion.
Seeing this, the Empress immediately looked up. "Mother, what is the Emperor's current condition?"
Upon hearing the news, they had rushed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and had been kneeling here for so long, just to hear the situation firsthand.
Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager did not reply. A look of sorrow flashed across her face, and her gaze fell upon the princes kneeling on the ground, her eyes filled with weariness.
"Prepare yourselves. You will take turns entering the palace to attend to the Emperor in the coming days. The imperial consorts are all to return to their own palaces and await summons when the Emperor awakens."
No one from the harem was to remain, and this naturally included the Empress.
"Mother! This concubine is willing to..."
"This old woman has stayed up all night. I am tired."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand and allowed Ye Tingyun to support her as she left.
Almost the moment she exited the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Empress's gaze turned sharp, and she rose from the ground.
"Return to the palace."